KAWASAKI Z800 (2013 - 2018) Review

Not an agile bike due to weight but as a daily commuter and weekend B Road blast does excellent job. Will not excite those who like knee down performance

In line 4 is smooth and lovely torque

Had it from new and people comment it looks like it just came out of the dealer. Never garaged so has held up well. No rust.

Kawasaki dealer all the way and never extortionate

No real accessories and yes mirrors are poor but not sure what else you need I have added Puig screen for longer journeys which works well and frame for top box

I have a quick shift fitted and wow it really is some peice of kit

Supension front and back are basic and can feel it when pushed hard.

Nothing wrong with the engine. Best part of the bike.

Reliable, but every nut, bolt and fitting rusted, furred up or degraded in one way or the other.

Home service. Dont't be lazy, do it yourself.

There are no accessories, but there should be to replace the usless mirrors.

I would like a bit more bite from the front brakes, not enough to worry about though. Probably it just needs some braided lines and they would be much better.

The engine is a peach power everywhere. I've added an Arrow rear section (which removed the cat and exhaust valve) which makes it crisper and makes it pull hard from the low down, with a great sound track. A Dynojet power commander V has tuned in the new pipe properly.

The bike is a dream, reliabliity wise, and at six years old it only shows one slight spot of furring on one caliper mounting bolt and a little spot on the gear shifter. everything else is sltill spotless. Kawasaki have upped their build quality in the last decade or so and it shows on this bike.

Not a lot of standard toys, no traction control, ABS or rider modes. I added an Arrow rear exhaust and Power commander. They are worth the money (in my opinion), for the added power and sound effects!

Front brakes are great, spot on for the weight they have to handle. Rear brake is uninspiring, it requires a little more pressure to actuate.

Great build quality and attention to detail.

Oil is changed every 4 months - £150 Tyres 2-3 times a year - £400 Pads and overall inspections, lubing cables and adjustments are additional costs.

No extras, just an engine, frame and a rider. However, the look of the bike is stunning, something very different.

I have given the rating 4 rather than 5, because my bike does not have ABS, however as far as the ride quality and suspension then I would give 5 out of 5. The handling on the road is fantastic. this is not a track bike, therefore can not be compared with a sports bike, it is what it is and that's a naked street bike and for that purpose I can not fault it.

I can not fault the engine. All the comments regarding power and torque still stand. My up to date comments relate to reliability. Never has it put a beat wrong, starts immediately with the push of the button, this is from day one until the present and throughout the winter. Does not burn or drop any oil whatsoever all gaskets are bone dry like brand new. Have not needed to put any water in the radiator. The fuelling is still perfect.

After writing my previous review at 12k miles, would you believe about a week later my clutch cable broke, it had been getting a bit notchy for a while and quite frankly I had learnt to live with it. I had tried lubricating, but after a couple of hundred miles, it returned to its "normal" stiff self. Anyway after having a new clutch cable fitted it was so smooth and effortless, yes loving this bike all over again. Now the big issue after about 6k miles the same issue, I put up with it for another 2k miles and after several attempts at lubricating decided on another new cable. Yes its like new again, absolutely fantastic so light I had to get use to using it again. I have considered a hydraulic clutch conversion, however the cost is approx £300 as opposed to a cable fitted £50 (not main dealer). All the competition in the same price range have cable (manual) clutches.

I once said to my mechanic, this bike is not cheap to run. He then gave me the following analogy: "Do you realise that running a bike like yours is the equivalent of running a Porsche Boxter in terms of performance, therefore when making a comparison to car servicing it is unfair to compare with a Ford Focus. If you want a cheap bike to run then buy a honda CB250!". I thought about what he said and considering the miles I am doing it's not expensive!!

My previous review "6 months down the line and still love it! " I made a comment about the bike not having ABS and locking it up a couple of times, however I would now like to comment further. I have not locked the bike up since and have learnt to do without ABS, therefore I do not have any issues with my bike not having ABS. I also note that from later in 2015 most of the Z800's now have ABS so just maybe Kawasaki have taken note and have made the right choice in fitting ABS

I got my rear wheel dented. Not that noticeable, though. It was due to a hole on the road during Sunday Morning Ride. I heard from my friend he passed through the same hole before with GSR750 and no problem at all, no dent. Well, I live in Indonesia, I believe the road in the UK is much much better.

I'd recommend engine guard (cover, not the frame slider). There are plenty of choices from Rizoma, SW-Motech, and etc, but among those brands I would recommend the OEM Kawasaki Z800 engine guard. It's cheaper and protect the engine very well. If I'm not mistaken Rizoma only provides for the left side, not good, bad value for money. I'd recommend Metzeler Z8, I use this tyre. It is a road-purpose tyre but it handles like the M7RR.

excellent brakes

the stock rear tyre gone in 2000 mile, could be my riding style

original exhaust way to heavy, i went for IXIL 55 less than 1Kg stock tires gone quick ,i went for METZELER Z8 they are great

The suspension is smooth, feedback is good when cornering, the Pirelli tyres are better than the stock Dunlops, especially in the wet. However I miss the ABS as I have locked it up a couple of time!

Ridden just over 12k miles since March 2015, never had any issues other than stock Dunlops only managed 3k miles, now have Pirelli Angel ST, these handle better and last longer, the weight really is not an issue at all when riding, adds to the stability especially at speed, however only notice the extra weight when man handling. This bike is fantastic, handles like a dream and has improved with the extra miles.

The service cost includes 1 set of tyres + an additional rear (3 tyres in total). Last service was completed by a racing specialist not a main dealer half the cost (he used genuine Kawasaki parts and I watched him pour in the FULLY synthetic oil. Please take into consideration the bike has completed over 12k miles

Could have done with ABS

again nasty vibration. need to stop after 30 minutes and the pillion seat is not the most comfortable. the brakes are good and stop you very quickly even without abs. surprisingly light for its weight and you can chuck it around with ease so long as you remember to counter steer with confidence otherwise you will be in the scenery

great engine amazing pulling power and midrange torque

nasty vibration so not that good.

only done the first service

engine guards are great, exhaust is a bit pants